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3 U. St. Thomas L. J. 521 (2005-2006)
What Works in Reducing Recidivism

handle is hein.journals/usthomlj3 and id is 527 raw text is: ARTICLE WHAT WORKS IN REDUCING RECIDIVISM? EDWARD J. LATESSA* CHRISTOPHER LOWENKAMP** THE PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE INTERVENTION Over the past several decades, scholars in corrections have focused increased attention on studying the effectiveness of correctional interven- tions and sanctions. There is now a substantial body of research on the effectiveness of correctional interventions in reducing recidivism. This re- search has led to the identification of some key findings, summarized as the principles of effective intervention. These principles form the conceptual and empirical underpinnings for understanding this body of research, and this article summarizes them. Additionally, findings from two large-scale studies of correctional programs, conducted in Ohio, will be presented. These findings will demonstrate that the key is no longer simply identifying what works, but instead determining what conditions and characteristics of programs are associated with the greatest effectiveness. The research re- ported in this article helps to summarize some of the key characteristics correctional programs need to follow to have substantive impacts on the recidivism rates of the offenders they serve. Most researchers who have studied correctional interventions have concluded that without some form of human intervention or services there is unlikely to be a significant effect on recidivism from punishment alone. While evidence from a large body of research demonstrates that treatment is more effective in reducing recidivism than punishment alone, not all treat- ment programs are equally effective. This research is collectively known as the what works literature. What works is not a program or an intervention, but a body of knowledge based on over thirty years of research that has been conducted by numerous scholars across North America.' Also referred to as evi- * Ph.D., Professor & Division Head, Division of Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati. ** Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor, Division of Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati. 1. See generally D.A. Andrews, Ivan Zinger, Robert D. Hoge, James Bonta, Paul Gendreau & Francis T. Cullen, Does Correctional Treatment Work? A Clinically Relevant and Psychologi-

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